The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Holbeach United maintained their unbeaten start to the United Counties League Premier Division campaign after a 3-1 derby success over Boston Town on Wednesday night.
The victory moved the Tigers up to seventh place in the early standings, five points behind current pacesetters Wellingborough with Holbeach having three games in hand.
Tom Roberts’ side are one of only two teams in the division yet to lose a league game this season as Sileby are also unbeaten from four Premier Division starts.
Wednesday’s success at Tattershall Road was the product of a dominant display with Boston only briefly threatening Holbeach’s control of the contest with a late of pressure in the dying throes.
Holbeach got off to the perfect start by taking an eighth minute lead when Jake Clitheroe clinically converted after the ball broke into his path following Aaron Eyett’s pacey burst forward.
Clitheroe could have doubled the Tigers’ lead when he rose highest to meet an Andrew Tidswell free-kick only to head over the home crossbar.
Boston’s best chances saw ex-Tiger Craig Parker blaze over when well placed while Jordan Smith saw an effort superbly blocked by Holbeach full-back Jake Walton.
Home goalkeeper James Lambley produced a smart stop to deny Tidswell as Holbeach finished the half in the ascendency.
The Tigers continued to create chances after the break with Tommy Treacher and Clitheroe both going close to doubling their lead.
The crucial second Holbeach goal arrived on 56 minutes when defender Nick Jackson rose highest at the back post to head home against his former club.
A third soon followed seven minutes later when Spalding United loanee Rees Longville-Daley brought down Walton in the Boston box and Josh Ford stepped up to convert the resultant spot kick with aplomb.
Holbeach goalkeeper Rick Drury was called into action as Boston finished with a flourish to produce two smart saves to deny the lively Jack Wightwick.
However, Boston substitute Curtis Revell pounced on a rebound after 79 minutes to throw his side a late lifeline.
Revell also headed straight at Drury when well placed before Holbeach substitute Stuart Eason blazed over in the dying throes after linking up well with fellow substitute Jordan Thomas.
Holbeach: Drury, Walton, Cartwright, Tinkler, Jackson, Stevens, Eyett, Tidswell, Treacher (Eason), Clitheroe (Thomas), Ford (Wright). Not used: Allen, Dongo.
